ICO news
- We’re delighted to be returning to the Showroom in Sheffield for our Autumn Screening Days on 9 – 11 November 2019. We’ll be screening the best independent cinema set for release over the following months so you can pack your programme with great discoveries to entice new audiences and thrill existing ones. Register before Friday 18 October 2019.
- Applications are open for our Women’s Leadership programme. Women’s Leadership strives to address industry inequality and the lack of female representation at the top, working with women in senior management positions who would like to take creative control of a major venue or step up into a leading role at a film festival. The scheme will run from November 2019 – February 2020. Deadline for applications is Thursday 3 October.
- Applications are also open for our new leadership course: FEDS Elevate: Leadership Programme for Cinema Professionals. This bespoke training experience will accelerate development through a holistic approach incorporating expert support, coaching and peer-to-peer learning. The programme aims to increase diversity at all levels in the workforce. The scheme will run from October 2019 – March 2020. The deadline for applications is Friday 4 October.
- Our popular FEDS (Film Exhibition Distribution Sales) Programme is returning for 2020 and in addition to the programme we are now able to offer five venues and festivals throughout the UK the chance to host one of our FEDS trainees for ten months in 2020. The deadline for host organisation applications is Monday 14 October.
- Save the date! Our new online learning platform will launch on 4 November. You can take part in an online version of our popular Developing Your Film Festival Course.
- The Film Hub South East BFI NETWORK Short Film Development Programme will run from November 2019 – February 2020. The aim of the programme is to help writers and writer/directors in the South East of England develop a short film from an original idea. There’s still chance to apply as we have extended the deadline to Monday 30 September.
- Alongside a major season at BFI Southbank, UK-wide BFI releases, one-off special events and more, from October 2019 to January 2020 we will be running a nationwide tour as part of BFI Musicals and titles are available to book now. Two of our titles are rarely screened in the UK – musical comedy Singing Lovebirds and Pakeezah, available here for the first time on DCP. Watch the BFI Musicals trailer.
- Don’t forget that we have a fantastic selection of archive titles available for booking as well. This year’s new additions are New Towns, Our Town, a unique feature-length archive film programme that reveals how New Towns have been continually reshaped by the public imagination; as well as the latest two programmes in our popular Britain on Film tour, Protest! and Welcome to Britain.
Opportunities
- We were lucky to work with Mark Leckey when we commissioned his film as one of our artists cinema commissions. His exhibition O’ Magic Power of Bleakness at Tate Britain is open now. Composed of new and existing work, this exhibition is an atmospheric, theatrical experience of spectral visions, sound and video.
- For FAN Members seeking information on environmental sustainability in the film exhibition sector, the BFI is keen to recognise and build on the work already taking place in this area and to encourage those not yet integrating environmental considerations into their planning to do so. You can find details of key organisations and online resources and tools that might help you develop your own environmentally sustainable work practices here.
- BFI Musicals screening support is open now! Apply for up to £2,500 support for one-off events, special screenings or singalongs as part of the season. Find out more.
- Calling writers on experimental film/artists’ moving image! Film and Video Umbrella’s Michael O’Pray Prize is now open for submissions! They are seeking new writing on innovation and experimentation in the moving image, with publication in Art Monthly and £500 cash prize for the winner.
- Following the success of previous training courses, CTC; the global cinema technology network proudly presents its brand new one day training course designed for cinema managers and small cinema operators. This course, delivered by experts, aims to provide insights on how to improve profitability, gain an increased understanding of the customer journey and provide a better overall experience for moviegoers. Find out more.
- Since summer 2018, BFI Film Audience Network (FAN) supports four new release films each year to help exhibitors engage with more diverse audiences and programme more titles that might be perceived as being ‘risky’ or ‘too challenging’. The Peanut Butter Falcon is the latest title to receive FAN support. Find out how FAN can support your screening.
- European Arthouse Cinema Day is on 13 October where hundreds of cinemas located both in or outside of Europe will celebrate the diversity of European cinema as well as their own venues. Cinemas have until 6 October to register.
- Are you 18-25 and pursuing a career in the film industry? Check out Future Film accreditation to make the most of this year’s BFI London Film Festival!
- Every two years, over 500 film professionals gather for the Europa Cinemas Network Conference. Join them in Lisbon this 21-24 November.
- Film Festival Alliance are expanding its membership opportunities to mission-aligned film organisations and festival professionals around the world. Find out more.
Good reads
- With BFI London Film Festival opening on 3 October, our Programming team highlight the films they are most looking forward to from the festival. From Bob Fosse’s influential Sweet Charity through to the latest work by visionary Chilean Director Pablo Larraín, Ema, it makes for a great read – check it out.
- Read more about our expanding training portfolio on Screen International ‘Independent Cinema Office launches online platform, expands training activities.’
- We spoke to Megan Mitchell – programmer & producer at Matchbox Cinema – about new women programmers currently coming up across the UK and how annual national exhibition umbrella Scalarama has given them a way into the sector. Read the blog.
- Catford Mews recently opened in south London and is one of our programming clients. The londonist have featured a piece about this cracking new cinema and entertainment venue.
- What does success look like when it comes to creating a diverse and inclusive film programme? Read Anthony from experiential events company We Are Parable’s key tips.